Discussion Topics for Today's Classroom

A new CPA certification program ,effective May 16, 2012

Canada’s new chartered professional accountant (CPA) designation became a reality May 16, 2012, with the merger of Quebec’s CA, CMA and CGA bodies.

To support CPA Quebec, and in preparation for anticipated merger developments in other parts of Canada, work on the proposed CPA certification program is getting underway. This will help ensure a smooth transition for CA students should mergers proceed across Canada.

The proposed CPA certification program is driven by the vision of the new CPA profession: to be the preeminent, internationally recognized Canadian accounting designation and business credential that best protects and serves the public interest.

It is based on three fundamental principles:

it will be at least as rigorous as the existing qualification programs;

it will meet the needs of industry, government and public practice; and

it will meet or exceed IFAC standards and the requirements of existing and future mutual recognition agreements.

The proposed qualification process will be based on a new CPA Competency Map. This new map was developed through winter 2011-2012 by an expert team, with extensive input from the academic community and from employers.

Like the current CA map, it is competency driven.

It outlines the competency requirements for six areas of technical competency: